From Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb
Many of us have grown up with Earth Day over the past 37 years. I wonder how much worse off Mother Earth would be since that first celebration in 1970 without the modest efforts each of us has made as a part of our daily lives over the past three-plus decades.
Who among us hasn’t
Recycled
Lowered the thermostat
Installed more efficient light bulbs
Conserved water
Paid attention to fuel mileage and miles driven
I would suggest these steps have had – and are having – a positive impact on the quality of the environment.
Of course, there is more to do to combat global warming and to deal in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region with the air pollution caused by population growth (a million more people are expected in the next 20 years) and extra car trips new residents will generate.
I’d like to suggest one thing each of us can do now: Take the Commuter Challenge. We are asking those who drive alone to work to try an alternative at least once before June 30. If you make a pledge to do so, the planet will thank you and so will we: you will be eligible for prizes.
Results from last year’s Commuter Challenge show that among those who formerly drove alone to work, 45 percent continue using their alternative, with 11 percent now using an alternative daily.
So if you try an alternative – transit, carpooling, biking, walking or something else, odds are you will be able to add it to that list of things you do to save the planet.
The good thing about the graying of Earth Day is that some of us who have aged with Earth Day are now in position to influence change on a larger level.
Our senior team at Metro Transit, for example, has rallied around the environment with our Go Greener Initiative. The elements include:
The purchase over the next five years of 150 hybrid electric buses. They will produce 22 percent better fuel mileage and half the soot emissions of the buses they replace.
The purchase of 164 new diesel buses that will incorporate the latest engine technology to reduce emissions.
The use of B5 fuel (a five percent biodiesel blend) in all our buses even though the state requires only a two-percent mixture.
The testing of a 20 percent biodiesel blend on a subset of our buses with the intention of transitioning to B10 fleetwide later this year.
These actions and others will produce these results:
Reduce emissions by 168 tons each year with these buses when compared with the buses they will replace.
Replace 1.23 million gallons a year of non-renewable fossil fuel with sustainable soy-based biodiesel and hybrid technology.
Provide added benefits of reduced emissions and less fossil fuel consumption without increased operating costs.
We have more information on our website about what you can do on Earth Day and the other 364 days of the year. We also have information about what Metro Transit is doing. Visit metrotransit.org
Working together, we can ensure that Earth Day enters old age satisfied that we have taken steps needed to given future generations the best world we can.